Your baby'southward umbilical cord stump is a funny footling piece of skin that'southward really the last link to his stay in the womb. When the umbilical cord is cutting at nascency, a bit remains still attached to his navel — and information technology'll go through a metamorphosis during your infant's early days.

Indeed, the colour and wait of the stump changes from yellowish-green to black and crusty equally information technology dries up and then falls off. Frankly, it looks downright weird, fifty-fifty gross, only don't be intimidated. Read on for easy care tips for your babe's umbilical cord equally well as what to practise if you recollect something's not right.

When does the umbilical string fall off?

It may seem like it's taking its sweetness fourth dimension, just the umbilical string stump should dry up and drop away by the time your baby is 3 weeks old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

It'south possible the stump will autumn away sooner, only if information technology's lingering longer than that timeframe, make an date with the pediatrician to go it checked out.

What to practise when the umbilical cord falls off

Most cords dry completely and then fall off, leaving behind a cute baby belly button. Yous might detect a small raw spot or a bit of claret-tinged fluid oozing out. Effort not to worry — this is likewise normal. But if y'all find more profuse haemorrhage, call the doctor.

In some cases, the string may class reddish-pink scar tissue called an umbilical granuloma, which may secrete a yellowish discharge. This should articulate upward in a week, only if it doesn't, check in with your baby'due south pediatrician. An umbilical granuloma is a very treatable condition.

Umbilical cord intendance tips

Nowadays, the standard practice when information technology comes to caring for a newborn umbilical cord is to keep it dry. Skip the rubbing booze and other ointments, and follow these umbilical cord tips to promote proficient healing:

Keep Reading Below

  • Keep information technology clean.If the stump gets muddied, dab it gently with a wet washcloth and then pat the surface area with a dry out cloth. (It's unlikely yous'll need to do this, as the cord usually stays pretty clean.) Avoid using lather, which can irritate a baby's tender skin.
  • Air the stump out. Assistance the base of operations dry by regularly exposing it to air.
  • Stick to sponge baths.Don't dunk that omphalus underwater for at present — sponge baths are enough. Once the stump falls off, feel costless to bathe your baby in his pint-sized tub.
  • Diaper delicately.Avoid covering the stump with the acme of his diaper. Some newborn-size disposables characteristic a footling notch at the waistband, or you lot tin can merely fold down the front of the diaper to go along information technology from rubbing the stump area.
  • Alter diapers frequently. Change wet and dirty diapers promptly then they don't leak upward toward the navel and beal your baby's healing string.
  • Dress delicately too.Choose loose-fitting clothing that doesn't printing against the stump or outfits with a special cutout for this area. Instead of onesies that snap at the crotch, try kimono-style bodysuits, which tie on the side for more air circulation and less rubbing.
  • Resist touching or pulling.Let the scab fall off on its own. Never pull information technology, even if it seems to connect by just the tiniest thread. If it gets yanked off too soon, information technology could start bleeding continuously. If this happens, call your baby's doctor immediately.

Infected umbilical cord or belly push button

Healing belly buttons almost always look worse than they actually are, even when they're progressing unremarkably. Information technology's rare that a healing umbilical string stump gets infected, only when it does, the condition is chosen omphalitis.

Watch for these symptoms of a newborn bellybutton infection, or omphalitis:

  • Red skin or a cherry, swollen appearance at the base of operations of the string
  • A fluid-filled lump on or nigh your baby's umbilical cord stump
  • Oozing pus or discharge
  • Bleeding from the scab (though a little dried blood is normal)
  • Foul smell
  • Fever or lethargy
  • Depression appetite
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Crying when you touch the cord or the area around it

If you find any signs of infection or your baby seems to be in pain, telephone call your pediatrician. A course of antibiotics will get your baby's bellybutton back to healing in no time.

Umbilical cord or omphalus bleeding

It'due south normal to spot a few drops of blood on your infant's diaper after his stump falls off, only you should monitor any additional umbilical string bleeding closely. Contact your babe'south medico if a small corporeality of bleeding lasts for more than than three days.

If heavier navel bleeding won't stop subsequently x minutes of direct pressure applied two times or if there'due south a blood stain that's more than two inches beyond, immediately call or visit the pediatrician. Continuous haemorrhage or a sizable spot of blood at this very young age (under a month) is a concern and should get checked out.

Less is more when it comes to caring for your infant's umbilical string. If you keep the stump area dry and you do your best to avoid touching it when you lot diaper and dress your baby, this trivial slice of leftover peel should fall off in no time at all.